The Greenberg team, director Noah Baumbach and star Ben Stiller, were supposed to reunite for 20th Century Fox’s adaptation of MR. POPPER’S PENGUIN. But then negotiations fell apart, Baumbach was no longer attached to direct the project due to creative differences. And since Stiller was interested in the project only because of Baumbach, he might not stick around for PENGUINS as well. Today 24 Frames, wondering what type of comedy the studio is gunning for with this, reported that director Mark Waters (Freaky Friday, Mean Girls) and star Jim Carrey might be circling the project…

No confirmation yet because names like Owen Wilson and Jack Black are also in consideration. Not to mention Stiller might wanna go back and take a shot at this again.Carrey and Wilson have had experiences working with animals, in Ace Ventura and Marley Me respectively but the penguins in this adaptation will most likely be CG.

The story is based on the 1938 classic children’s book by Richard AtwaterThe studio acquired screen rights to MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS a year ago and hired Sean Anders and John Morris to write the adapted screenplay.

Here’s the official synopsis of the book..“Mr. Popper dreams about leaving his boring life and going on an adventure to the Antarctic. When the legendary Admiral Drake sends him a live penguin in response to his letter, he is thrilled. Very soon, he also receives a female companion for his penguin and they have 10 children. But Mr. Popper has enough trouble supporting his human family, and so he has the idea to take his penguins to the stage. Soon, Mr. Popper is up to his ears in adventure as he tries to manage 12 performing penguins and the trouble they inevitably get into.Mr. Popper’s Penguins remains a classic, read and remembered by generations of loyal fans. Now, 70 years after its publication, it will be given a fresh new voice as an audiobook to attract a new generation of listeners.”